In the Old Statistical Account of Scotland, (http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/link/1791-99/Inverness/Barray/, Barray, County of Inverness (1791-99)), Rev. Edward MacQueen states that the name of the parish appears to come from the patron saint of the Island, St. Barr. The main island is 8 miles in length and between 2 and 4 wide. Other islands, Vatersay, Sanndray, Fuaidh, Pabbay, Mingulay, Berneray, complete the make up the area of the parish.